When you give your dog a chew bone, you are doing a lot more than giving him something to chew on

Whether you have a brand new puppy or a faithful old friend, one of the best things you can do for your dog is to provide him with a rawhide chew. Aside from being just plain fun for every dog, chewing on rawhide bones helps dogs of all ages in a number of ways. Rawhide treats provide important benefits:

Consider also feeding bully sticks chews to your dog that are great treats with the same benefits, but digest easier.

How to choose the right rawhide chew

All rawhide chews are not created equal. The first question commonly asked by pet owners is about quality. Dog rawhide chews made in USA (or overseas in accordance with the highest USDA specifications) from premium beefhide under the strictest quality standards, such as American Rawhide, Merrick, Dingo, Bone Buddies, Beefeaters brands,

feature highest quality, they are thicker and lasting longer, and dogs really love them. American production processes and sanitation practices are much better and more highly regulated than most other countries producing rawhide bones.

Size: Some dogs are very particular about the size of the chew bone you give them. Too big and they will not touch it, even though they will chew for hours on a smaller bone.

Hardness and Texture: Aggressive chewers can chew down a good size rawhide bone in a surprisingly short time. For these dogs, try giving pressed rawhide which is compressed, harder, and will last longer. If your dog chews for short periods of time with a soft bite, a smaller rawhide bone that is easy to soften will be more enjoyable. For these dogs, also try rawhide chips, sticks, or twists.

Flavor: The flavor is very important to some dogs. Try various types to see which ones your dog enjoys.

Remember, almost all dogs like to chew. Oftentimes, the trick is finding the right size, consistency, and flavor your pet wants. Try to find a few types your dog likes. When he loses interest in the one he is working on, switch to the other. This will keep your dog chewing, which is great for helping remove plaque and relieving boredom.